Some Pattern thoughts for Lotus Yarn (Free Download of Cented Flowers)

ScannedImageSo a couple of weeks ago I told you how I really enjoy working with Designing Vashti Lotus Yarn, it got me thinking, I do have a couple of pattern examples that I could share that highlight this yarn.

IMG_6307.1

My daughter modeling DJC: Lotus Bolero (What a ham)

IMG_6287.1

Another modeling shot…

The first one is from Doris Chan, and it is the DJC: Lotus Bolero. It is excellently written, from the top down, and a fun project. I can attest that the final product is very enjoyable as well. My daughter did the modeling for the girl sizes, and really adores them. (She completely mixes and matches them up with a variety of things in her wardrobe). Doris has it sized from a girl size 4 to a 3X, very impressive and flattering for anyone.

IMG_6177.1

Cented Flowers- Free download pattern

The other pattern is one that I worked up for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Crochet Guild of America, it is the Cented Flower. It is a small clip that is adorned with 2 flowers that have dime accents in their center. The celebration colors are White, Emerald and Platinum, so I attempted to capture them in this design. I am actually offering instructions and supplies for this design at a Make-&-Take Saturday, July 26, 2014 from 12:30-1:30pm (EST) at the Knit & Crochet Show, showroom floor. However, even if you cannot make the trip to Manchester, NH, I wanted you to be able to enjoy the pattern yourself so I have made it available here as a free download. Cented Flowers

I hope you enjoy the pattern; I would love to know your thoughts about it.

Designs that Will Ring in Spring

ScannedImageSpring is in the air; the ground is beginning to warm and release the blooms of daffodils. The days are getting longer and spending time outside is a greater joy. So it has made it a nice time to release 2 of my latest designs, they help take a little chill out of the air and dress up a casual look.

IMG_6149.1

Summer Rays Drop Stitch Wrap

The first is the Summer Rays Drop Stitch Wrap; it is created with a simple 3 row repeat, and 1 skein of Lisa Souza Sylvie 100% Bombyx Silk yarn. The highlight of this wrap is a unique stitch that is created free hand, of long loops, a technique that was originally featured in my article in the Summer 2012 issue of Crochet! Magazine, with the Drop Stitch Short Scarf. I really enjoy this technique as it gives the appearance of hairpin lace without the loom, or the joining of strips. It is worked as one continuous piece, and when you finish, you only have 2 ends to weave in.

This pattern includes the details on how to complete this technique, and I have to say that the silk gives it such a great drape that it adds IMG_6150 - Copyelegance to the work.

What inspired me to put this design together was actually the yarn. I had a skein, and I made it a personal challenge to see what I could create with it, and the Drop Stitch lends itself to this non-stretch yarn very well. The openness of the stitch with the smooth surface of the yarn, allows both to be featured in a positive way with this design, creating a classic style.

$

Fiji Flowers on Flowers Shrug/Wrap

The second design I am releasing is the Honorable Mention Winner of the 2013 Crochet Guild of America Design Contest, Accessories category; the Fiji Flowers on Flowers Shrug/Wrap. This is a uniquely constructed piece that is comprised of 3 large pentagon motifs created with Tunisian Crochet. These motifs create a negative space design that is enhanced with additional motifs, thus creating flowers inside of flowers. All motifs are joined as you go, requiring no sewing.

One of the original features of this design is the “floral buttons” these are added embellishments that allow the fabric to be secured together to create air sleeves of a shrug, or left unsecured for an interesting wrap. This versatile piece is also worked in Lisa Souza Sylvie 100% Bombyx Silk yarn, which has beautiful color and gives great drape to this piece. This is a fun shrug that can be paired with jeans or a simple black dress, can be a nice compliment for a day at the beach, or a night on the town. It fills a very unique niche in any wardrobe, and trust me, it is fun.

#My inspiration for this design was born out of a watermark I saw in a magazine advertisement. It was a flower that was actually featured in a negative space (the space that is not the color, but the blank background), and I began daydreaming of how to create this in crochet, thus the large motifs were created. However they lacked structure and did not allow for a stable fabric, until the addition of contrasting motifs within them. This the negative space flower grow to have an addition of flowers within its petals. 

Both of these designs are available for sale on Ravelry.com or Crochetville.com for the simple price of $5. Check them out and let me know what you think of them.

Summer Rays Drop Stitch Wrap (RavelryCrochetville)

Fiji Flowers on Flowers Shrug/Wrap (RavelryCrochetville)